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To sum up.
An idiom has a different meaning from the meaning of its components. Idioms are basically fixed expressions, which means you cannot change the word order, or the grammatical forms in the same way as you can change non-idiomatic expressions
Proverbs
Idioms are not proverbs. A proverb is "a short well-known sentence that states a general truth about life and gives advice" (Advanced Learner's Dictionary) A proverb can be used idiomatically, but many proverbs can be understood literally.
If you cannot win against stronger opponents, then it is better not to fight against them When did you change teams? Reply: "Hey: If you can't beat them, join them."
Se non puoi batterli unisciti a loro
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.
Qui cum canibus concumbunt cum pulcibus surgent. Chi va con lo zoppo impara a zoppicare
The eye of the master does more work than both his hands.
Locchio del padrone ingrassa il cavallo.
Good fences make good neighbours I buoni recinti fanno i buoni vicini
Stolen fruit is sweet. I piaceri rubati sono i pi dolci
There will be sleeping enough in the grave. Si dormir abbastanza nella tomba.
Non bisogna perdere tempo dormendo ma bisogna cogliere lattimo e godere della vita.
Laugh and the world will laugh with you, cry and you will cry alone
Ridi e il mondo rider con te, piangi e piangerai da solo
The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail. Pi in alto sale la scimmia pi mostra la coda. Origine: forse giamaicana. Significato: pi una persona inadeguata avanza in carriera pi si espone al ridicolo. * spesso tail viene sostituito con behind
A man is as old as he feels, a woman is as old as she looks. Un uomo ha let che si sente, una donna ha let che dimostra. Attribuito al romanziere britannico Mortimer Collins (1827-1876) riguarda unidea maschilista della vecchiaia.
you cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Non puoi correre con la lepre e cacciare con i cani. Non possibile stare contenporaneamente da parte della vittima e da quella del carnefice.